> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rentsmart.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pet Policy

> What pets you allow, fees and deposits, and breed/weight restrictions.

Pet Policy controls what pets you allow on your properties. It's used by the [screening AI](/screening-rules/auto-denial) and displayed publicly on every property's listing page so leads see your rules upfront.

## Where to find it

**Global Settings → Pet Policy** at [app.rentsmart.com/global-settings](https://app.rentsmart.com/global-settings).

To set a custom policy for one property, open that property → **Auto Denial Rules** widget → **Edit** → choose **Custom Settings** for Pet Policy.

## The three sections

### Pet Allowance

* **Maximum Pets Allowed** — dropdown: No pets, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5+ pets

<Note>
  Selecting **No pets** hides the rest of the page — Pet Fees and Pet Restrictions go away. No fees, no restrictions, no pets.
</Note>

### Pet Fees

Only appears when at least 1 pet is allowed.

* **Move-In Fee Type** — *Non-refundable fee*, *Refundable deposit*, or *No fee/deposit*
* **Fee/Deposit Amount** — appears only if the type is non-refundable or refundable
* **Monthly Pet Rent** — can be \$0

### Pet Restrictions

Only appears when at least 1 pet is allowed.

* **Weight Restrictions** — *No Weight Limit* or *Has Weight Limit*. If "Has," a text area appears for details.
* **Breed Restrictions** — *No Breed Restrictions* or *Has Breed Restrictions*. If "Has," a text area appears for details.

These details appear on your property's public listing page so prospects know upfront.

## ESA and Service Animals

<Warning>
  **ESAs and Service Animals are always considered under HUD guidelines, regardless of your Pet Policy.** This is a federal requirement, not a RentSmart setting — it can't be turned off.
</Warning>

Prospective tenants with an Emotional Support Animal or a Service Animal submit legal documentation along with their Profile. RentSmart reviews and accepts that documentation following HUD's rules, even if your Pet Policy is set to "No pets" or excludes their animal's breed/weight.

This is a non-configurable informational notice that always appears at the bottom of the Pet Policy tab.

## Global vs. per-property

Pet Policy can be set per-property independently of [Auto Denial Rules](/screening-rules/auto-denial). You can use the global rules for screening but a custom Pet Policy on one property, or vice versa.

To override on one property, open the property → **Auto Denial Rules** widget → **Edit** → flip **Pet Policy** to **Custom Settings** and adjust.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Auto Denial Rules" icon="sliders" href="/screening-rules/auto-denial">
    The income, credit, and history thresholds for screening.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Prequalification questions" icon="circle-question" href="/screening-rules/prequalification">
    What you can ask leads before they book a showing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>